How to understand the deviance that lies in ourselves and others - an original and rigorous exploration of the darkest recesses of the human mind, from the co-host of Bad People.
Are you evil?
In Making Evil, Julia Shaw uses a mix of science, popular culture and real-life examples to investigate the darker side of human nature. How similar is your brain to a psychopath's? How many people have murder fantasies? Can AI be evil? Do your sexual proclivities make you a bad person? Who becomes a terrorist? This is a surprising and wickedly entertaining exploration of a darkly compelling subject.
About the Author
Dr Julia Shaw is a scientist in the Department of Psychology at University College London (UCL). Her academic work, teaching and role as an expert witness have focused on different ways of understanding criminal behaviour.
Dr Shaw has consulted as an expert on criminal cases, delivered police-training and military workshops, and has evaluated offender diversion programmes. She is also the co-founder of Spot, a start-up that helps employees report workplace harassment and discrimination, and employers take action. Her work has been featured in outlets such as CNN, the BBC, the New Yorker, WIRED, Forbes, the Guardian and Der Spiegel. She is the co-host of the podcast Bad People.
Industry Reviews
"Warmly, chattily written . . . Shaw draws knowledgeably on psychological and neuroscientific research"
Guardian
"Most of it is unsettling, shocking or disturbing. It's also rational, intelligent and necessary . . . fascinating and convincing"
Herald
"A book that will provide you with the kind of anecdotes I cherish, but will make you a terrifying date on Match.com"
The Times
"If you are interested in evil, the science behind evil, there are so many studies contained within this book . . . a very entertaining book about evil"
BBC Radio 5
"Curious readers will be riveted by Shaw's deliberate, rational discussions of such taboos as cyberbullying, homicide, pedophilia and the ways money and power corrupt the souls of formerly good men and women . . . Capably written with a smooth mix of scientific insight and theoretical thought, the book will hopefully inspire empathy and understanding rather than hysteria and condemnation . . . A consistently fascinating journey into the darker sides of the human condition that will push on the boundaries of readers' comfort zones"
Kirkus
